Page 25 of The Matchmaker Meets her Duke
“Is this about the horse again?” asked Rose. Emmett hissed at his sister to stop, but Rose just turned back to her book with a wicked smile.
“Of course, it’s about the horse! Edna stole it, though I don’t know how. But he was there one morning and gone the next, and Edna was always so smug afterward.”
“Grandmother, I hardly think the Dowager Viscountess of Riverton is a horse thief,” said Emmett as he shot another glare at Rose.
“Oh, I know you don’t believe me. Your Father didn’t, either. But it’s the truth, I swear on my soul,” said Agatha, shaking.
“Your Grace, I’m sure there is a reasonable explanation,” said Pandora. “Let us not get too upset. You can introduce me to the Viscountess tomorrow and I’ll see her character for myself.”
The smile Agatha gave Pandora was full of gratitude, and she nodded vigorously, nearly spilling her tea. “I will introduce you, of course. Then you’ll see what a viper she is. It will be nice to have someone who believes me.”
Pandora bit her lip to stop herself from laughing and took a gulp of hot tea before answering. “Of course, Your Grace. I look forward to it.”
She looked to Emmett, who mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to her. Pandora smiled at him, then looked back to her brother. Edward looked back and forth between her and Emmett with a knowing smile, and Pandora resisted sticking her tongue out at him. She knew what was on his mind.
It was true that she and Emmett were getting along swimmingly, now that they had agreed to get to know each other. They had much in common, from a love of the outdoors and gardens to a rebellious childhood spent dodging tutors and nurses.
Pandora sighed into her teacup as the conversation continued on without her. It was surprisingly comfortable here, even with Agatha’s wild accusation and Rose’s coolness. She never had a large family before, so having a full drawing room was unique.
Emmett caught her eye again and smiled at her, and her heart gave a little squeeze. She blinked at him and smiled back after a moment. What was that squeeze? Why did her stomach flutter when he smiled like that at her, so gently?
She stuffed the emotions down for later examination and tried to pick up the thread of the conversation. Emmett and her feelings for him, that was a problem for later.
ChapterTwelve
Emmett adjusted his cravat for the dozenth time and earned a hard glare from his grandmother.
“It looks fine. Why must you fuss with it?” said Agatha from beside him. They were stationed at the entrance to the ballroom, greeting the early guests as they arrived.
“It feels like it is crooked, and I haven’t got a mirror to know for sure,” replied Emmett. “And besides, I think this is a fruitless venture. What do we gain from this, besides empty wine cellars?”
“Oh hush, it’s not crooked and you know it. And we absolutely must have this party, our friends will want to meet your new wife. You are the talk of the neighborhood, you know.”
Emmett snorted. “Aren’t I always?” Agatha’s eyes glinted, but she smiled and reached for the hands of Lord and Lady Deveron as they arrived. Emmett smiled and nodded at them while looking over their heads.Where is Pandora?
It was a great relief when Ashton arrived, even if that did mean the Dowager Viscountess was with him. Edna Brexley was tall for a woman, with iron-gray hair and eyes dark enough they looked black. Where Agatha wore her emotions on her face, Edna was calm and poised and wore a small, secretive smile as she and Ashton approached.
“Agatha,” said Edna in a lofty voice. “A pleasure, as always.”
“Edna, how lovely to see you again,” said Agatha through pinched lips. Ashton winked at Emmett and tried to drag his grandmother away, but Edna held her ground.
“It was a lovely day for a ride through the countryside, wouldn’t you agree, Agatha?” said Edna, and Agatha stiffened, eyes blazing. She opened her mouth to respond but Pandora appeared in the doorway in that instance behind Edna, out of breath.
“We have guests!” said Pandora as she squeezed past Edna and took her place at Emmett’s side. “My apologies for my lateness, I forgot my favorite necklace at Ravenswood Manor and went to get it.”
Emmett eyed her bare neck with curiosity. “I take it you weren’t able to find it?”
“Er, no. I suspect I packed it up somewhere, but that is irrelevant. Please, introduce me to our guests!” Pandora clutched at his arm, and Emmett’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. He didn’t know her well enough to know for sure, but this air of cheeriness seemed most unlike her.
“Pandora, this is the Dowager Viscountess of Riverton. And you’ve met Lord Riverton already.”
Pandora eyed Emmett’s friend with poorly disguised ill-will, and Emmett smothered a smile. “Yes, we have. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Brexley. Agatha has told me so much about you.”
Edna arced an elegant eyebrow. “It is lovely to meet you as well, Your Grace. Is she still spreading that ridiculous story about the horse?”
Emmett put a hand on his grandmother’s back, hoping to channel calm through to her. Agatha swelled to her full height and opened her mouth to respond once more, but more guests arrived behind her. Edna sailed away into the ballroom without a backward glance, leaving Agatha to fume at his side.
Pandora leaned over to Agatha. “I see what you mean, Your Grace.”
